Trump, the Free Press, and Preserving Our Democracy

Donald Trump has blatantly proclaimed the media to be the “opposition party” and an “enemy of the people.” His attacks on the press are dangerous to democracy and are a red flag to Americans.

Learn from the experts, as we examine Trump’s actions in the context of history and the warning signs of fascism. We will talk about freedom of the press, fake news and “alternative facts,” and what we must do to protect our democracy NOW.

We are poised to repeat history if we do not heed the warnings and fight for our democracy. Join us for this eye-opening look at history and fascism. It will embolden you to embrace your inner activist.

Guest speakers include:

Sarah Edkins is the Communications Director of PEN America, a free expression advocacy organization tracking media suppression & promoting journalists’ rights. She also worked at the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience, where she coordinated communications between 180 institutional members globally including history museums and human rights initiatives.

Timothy Snyder, is a leading historian, Yale professor, and author of “On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century”who has documented how democracies across Europe fell to fascism. He is a permanent fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna and has received numerous distinctions, including the award of the Dutch Auschwitz Committee.

Lucy Westcott, an international reporter for Newsweek and former United Nations correspondent for the Inter Press Service, covers immigration, reproductive rights, and women’s issues. She interned at the BBC’s Washington bureau and has also written for the Guardian, Bustle, American Journalism Review.